The world's end, in Norse mythology / FRI 12-26-25 / Casting need / Old coin with a picture of Generalissimo Franco / Origin story family in DC Comics / Cracked wheat used in tabbouleh / How a supervillain might brag / Food that can be prepared de canasta / Royal Australian Air Force insignia / Nation dubbed the "cradle of mankind"
Friday, December 26, 2025
Constructor: Andrew Spooner
Relative difficulty: Easy-Medium
Word of the Day: MOA (39A: Down Under bird that scientists are working to "de-extinct") —
Moa (order Dinornithiformes) are an extinct group of flightless birds formerly endemic to New Zealand. During the Late Pleistocene-Holocene, there were nine species, in six genera. The two largest species, Dinornis robustus and Dinornis novaezelandiae, reached about 3.6 metres (12 ft) in height with neck outstretched, and weighed about 230 kilograms (510 lb); the smallest, the bush moa (Anomalopteryx didiformis), was about the size of a turkey. Estimates of the moa population when Polynesians settled New Zealand circa 1300 range from 58,000 to 2.5 million.
Moa are traditionally placed in the ratite group. Genetic studies have found that their closest relatives are the flighted South American tinamous, once considered a sister group to ratites. The nine species of moa were the only wingless birds, lacking even vestigial wings, which all other ratites have. They were the largest terrestrial animals and dominant herbivores in New Zealand's forest, shrubland, and subalpine ecosystems until the arrival of the Māori, and were hunted only by Haast's eagle. Moa extinction occurred within 100 years of human settlement of New Zealand, primarily because of overhunting. [...] The creature has frequently been mentioned as a potential candidate for revival by cloning. Its iconic status, coupled with the facts that it only became extinct a few hundred years ago and that substantial quantities of moa remains exist, mean that it is often listed alongside such creatures as the dodo as leading candidates for de-extinction. Preliminary work involving the extraction of DNA has been undertaken by Japanese geneticist Ankoh Yasuyuki Shirota.
Interest in the moa's potential for revival was further stirred in mid-2014 when New Zealand Member of Parliament Trevor Mallard suggested that bringing back some smaller species of moa within 50 years was a viable idea. The idea was ridiculed by many, but gained support from some natural history experts.
In July 2025, American biotechnology Colossal Biosciences announced early phases of plans to "revive" the South Island giant moa by adding moa genes to a related species in collaboration with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre with funding from Peter Jackson.
His government's use of forced labour, concentration camps and executions after the war led to at least 30,000 deaths, with some estimates exceeding 200,000. Combined with wartime killings, this brings the death toll of the White Terror to between 100,000 and 350,000 or more. During World War II, he maintained Spanish neutrality, but supported the Axis powers, damaging the country's international reputation. (wikipedia)In short, f*** that guy, and f*** this puzzle for the completely needless insertion of a murderous fascist dictator into my Friday puzzle. Gonna have to go replenish my holiday cheer supply later. Maybe have pie for breakfast, I dunno. But "Generalissimo Franco," yeesh, not on my Boxing Day bingo card, dislike. Dislike. I am smashing the Dislike button.
Bullets:
- 25A: A cold one is unexpected (and usually unappreciated) (CALL) — true enough. But if you're me, all CALLs are unappreciated. When we used to have a landline and the phone would ring, I'd resent it. Why, why would you make this machine ring? In my house? Things were so peaceful. Nowadays, half my (cell) phone CALLs are spam (or so my phone tells me). The other half are doctors or dentists or what have you. I text. Makes me realize, I never did like the phone. An exhausting contraption. For me, the phone is an intrusive, energy-depleting machine. Maybe this is why I'm so bad about calling my parents. Or anyone. These people who talk on the phone in public (!?), talk on the phone while they're out walking (!?!?!?!) ... I will never understand.
- 29A: Food that can be prepared de canasta (TACOS) — I don't know this method of preparation. I just like that TACOS is the answer to 29-Across, and then 30-Across starts [___ Tuesday] (30A: ___ Tuesday (end of the pre-Lenten season) (SHROVE)). I was like, "ooh, more TACOS!?" But no.
- 47A: It might be marked with an X (PORNO) — first, probably marked with more "X"s than that. Second, nothing about this clue signals abbrev. or shortening or slang, so I call foul. I think I'd call it PORN or a PORN MOVIE before I'd call it a PORNO. PORN sounds normal, whereas PORNO sounds like something that SLEAZO from yesterday likes to watch.
- 53A: Life partner? (CELLMATE) — this is cleverish. If you're doing "Life" (in prison), you might have a CELLMATE. I thought the answer was going to be something like TIMES or LIMB.
- 34D: Great illustrations (EPITOMES) — easy to misinterpret both "Great" and "illustrations." Puts you in mind of large paintings (or frescoes or murals). But today, it's just perfectly apt ("great") examples ("illustrations") of ... whatever.
- 43A: Origin story family in DC Comics (KENTS) — Superman's adoptive parents are the KENTS.
- 49D: Casting need (DIE) — this was kinda hard. We typically "throw" or "roll" dice (when playing, say, a TABLETOP game). I only encounter the verb "cast" in the context of the phrase "the DIE is cast" (alea iacta est), which is what Caesar is alleged to have said when he crossed the Rubicon. "The phrase is often used to indicate events that have passed a point of no return" (wikipedia). [I’m being told this clue probably refers to DIE-casting]
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| [Thanks, Martha!] |
And here's Lola, who died last year at age 13. As you can see, Lola was an expert shredder of presents (or plush toys, or scraps of paper, whatever you got, total pro)
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| [Thanks, Mimi!] |
Here's Pico realizing he's in way over his head. "Why did I volunteer to be in charge of lights again!?!"
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| [Thanks, Marilyn!] |
Lupo, on the other hand, is hiding. He has learned his lesson. "No way they're putting me on light-hanging duty again, man. No way!"
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| [Thanks, Jill!] |
Zack just wants you to take it away. Away. Not amused. Not interested
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| [Thanks, Christian!] |
And finally today, we have Odin, seen here saving Christmas once again. Sometimes you have to crush a few villagers if you wanna save Christmas. It happens. The point is: Christmas, saved. Once again. By Odin. RIP ten villagers.
| [Thanks, Luke!] |
See you next time.
[Follow Rex Parker on BlueSky and Facebook and Letterboxd]
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